Mark Stone's Resilience Anchors 2026 Top 100 Mid-Tier

Mark Stone, 34, ranks No. 67 despite playing no more than 66 regular-season games in any campaign since 2016-17, yet he carries 95 points across 123 career playoff contests.

Stone’s Path Through the Rankings

Stone climbed from No. 71 the prior year to his current spot even as the Golden Knights navigated another competitive Western Conference slate. His 95 playoff points reflect consistent production in high-stakes environments where fewer than half of NHL regulars ever reach the postseason. The Vegas right winger’s ability to elevate teammates on the ice outweighs any regular-season absence, validating the list’s emphasis on current impact over historical volume. Colorado’s Devon Toews, ranked 66, offers a parallel case where a single January injury absence triggered an eight-loss stretch in 13 games, underscoring how defensive stability translates directly into team results.

The criteria explicitly weighted this season’s performance above prior years while guarding against one-year anomalies. Stone benefited from that structure, as his playoff body of work provided the necessary context for a veteran whose regular-season totals have naturally declined with age and load management. No salary cap considerations entered the evaluation, allowing pure on-ice value to determine placement.

Anaheim’s Youth Surge in the Same Window

Three Ducks appear in the 61-70 group, illustrating a deliberate development strategy paying immediate dividends. Cutter Gauthier at No. 70 and Leo Carlsson at No. 68 both earned spots after strong showings, with Carlsson leading Anaheim in points per game following his post-thigh-surgery return. Jackson LaCombe, the 25-year-old defenseman at No. 62, joined them as a first-time entrant, reflecting the organization’s success in blending young talent without forecasting future ceilings.

Carlsson’s career-high production across the board came despite an early-season load-management approach that initially drew scrutiny. The Ducks’ patience yielded a player who now drives play at even strength while contributing on special teams, exactly the profile the list rewards. LaCombe’s inclusion alongside established names such as Clayton Keller (63) and Brandon Hagel (61) shows how the Ducks’ defensive pipeline has accelerated their overall ranking presence.

Defensive and Forward Anchors Holding Steady

Adam Fox at No. 64 posted a 55 percent Corsi rating at all strengths on a struggling Rangers squad, the best mark on his team, while New York outscored opponents when he skated in 5-on-5 situations. Injuries limited his totals, yet he still averaged a point per game, reinforcing why offensive-zone impact for defensemen remains a core evaluation metric. Shea Theodore, the 30-year-old Vegas blueliner at No. 69, slid from 52 the previous year but retained top-70 status through steady two-way play.

Alex DeBrincat at 65 with Detroit and Hagel with Tampa Bay round out the forwards, both demonstrating the all-situations versatility the list values. Hagel, an undrafted WHL product and sixth-round NHL pick, now handles any lineup role and both special-teams units, proving self-made trajectory can still land inside the top 70. The even distribution target of roughly 12 forwards and six defensemen per 20-player block held in this segment, with no goalies appearing here as expected from the overall 10-goalie quota across the full 100.

The list’s refusal to penalize players nearing career ends or to inflate prospects who have not yet delivered this season kept the group grounded in verifiable 2025-26 results.